Which of the following statements about burn first aid is correct?

• A. Stop the burn, cool with cool water for at least 10 minutes
• B. Apply ice directly to the burn
• C. Use petroleum jelly on the burn
• D. Cover with bulky dressings immediately

Answer: (A)

Cooling a burn promptly helps limit tissue damage and ease pain by removing heat from the skin. Running cool water over the burn for about 10 minutes is the best first step because it stops the burning from going deeper into tissues. After cooling, protect the area with a clean, nonstick dressing to guard against infection. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin, since it can cause frostbite and worsen injury. Do not use petroleum jelly on an open burn, as it can trap heat and raise infection risk. And instead of bulky dressings, a simple clean dressing is the appropriate immediate covering. If the burn is large, or involves the face, hands, feet, joints, or appears chemical, seek medical care promptly.